Restrictions put social-service not-for-profits to the test
A big challenge has been that some fundamental assistance—like providing food to low-income or aging individuals and families—doesn’t easily transition to a work-from-home model.
Human Services
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United Way launches $16.5M fund aimed at COVID-19 economic relief
The fund, called the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund, received a $15 million donation from Lilly Endowment Inc. and $500,000 contributions from three other organizations.
City awarded record federal funding for homeless initiatives
The city of Indianapolis on Wednesday was awarded $6.3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for initiatives and organizations that aim to eliminate homelessness.
Holcomb opts in to accepting refugees
Gov. Eric Holcomb is giving the green light for federal officials to continue placing refugees in Indiana, following in the footsteps of a growing group of governors.
Merger could lift Planned Parenthood
A new alliance with the Seattle-based affiliate chapter might be the key to the turnaround and longevity of Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky.
New group antes up cash to help poor make bail
The Bail Project is challenging the cash bail system that keeps poor people awaiting trial locked up in Marion County jails, often putting their jobs and homes at risk.
Could land trusts keep housing affordable, avoid gentrification?
In a quest to create permanently affordable housing, about 25 Indianapolis community groups and development corporations have formed the Community Land Trust Coalition.
City’s poor often have few affordable options for banking, other financial services
Banking is more expensive for the people who most need it to be affordable, a reality that experts say plays a significant role in preventing many Hoosiers from snapping the cycle of poverty.
Local Goodwill Foundation gets $2.4M gift from longtime volunteer
The donation will be used to establish the Miller Family Fund for Success, which will help support Goodwill’s education, health and employment programs.
Starved for staff, firms consider ex-offenders
Develop Indy, the economic development arm of Indy Chamber, is connecting businesses with PACE, a not-for-profit that helps people coming out of the criminal justice system re-enter the community.
Council OKs $300K appropriation to assist homeless, panhandling population
The funds will allow the city to start a pilot job program for would-be panhandlers, offering work on projects like graffiti abatement, downtown cleanup or beautification.
After run of deficits, Indy Reads retools approach to teaching, finds new funding
Indy Reads launched a redesigned literacy program in fall 2017, and the board recently approved a new mission statement and strategic vision.
Nearly half of Marion County families struggling to get by, report says
A new report from Indiana United Ways says that the number of Indiana households that cannot afford basic needs increased 10 percent from 2010 to 2016 as expenses for families rose faster than the cost of inflation.
United Way revamping approach to funding
Some social service leaders are worried about the shift in strategy toward grant allocations and away from annual allocations.
Witchey leaves homeless group to join Damien Center as CEO
Alan Witchey has stepped down as executive director for the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention of Greater Indianapolis to take over leadership of The Damien Center.
Glick Philanthropies breaks ground on $2M ‘success center’ for apartment residents
Carriage House East, which houses 2,000, was a for-profit property until Glick restructured ownership of the complex in 2016 to give it a social service mission.
1 in 5 Indianapolis residents lives in poverty. And many areas are getting worse.
Median household incomes have dropped in a full third of Indianapolis ZIP codes since 2000. Inequality is growing across the city.
Meals on Wheels lands $1M grant to serve HIV patients
Meals on Wheels of Central Indiana plans to use the grant from the State Department of Health to deliver nutritious food in areas of Indiana with large populations of people infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
United Way expands poverty simulations to educate, engage community
IBJ reporter Lindsey Erdody participated in a recent poverty simulation conducted by the United Way of Central Indiana and hosted by Kronos Inc. and TechPoint.
Tight job market puts not-for-profits to test
Some local entities have increased their attention on retaining existing staff, encouraging volunteers to move into paid positions and expanding their searches when jobs become available by targeting recent graduates or community clubs or schools.